General Characteristics:
Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra) is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America, reaching heights of 50 to 80 feet with a straight, slender trunk and a narrow, oval-shaped crown. The bark is initially smooth and gray, becoming rough and furrowed with age. The leaves are compound, with 5 to 7 leaflets, and display a dark green color that turns golden yellow in the fall. This tree is known for its hard, dense wood and its production of bitter nuts.

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Range:
The Pignut Hickory is found throughout the eastern United States, from Maine and southern Ontario west to Illinois, and south to Florida and Texas. It thrives in various habitats but prefers well-drained upland soils in mixed hardwood forests.

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How to Identify:
Identification of Pignut Hickory involves noting its compound leaves with 5 to 7 finely serrated leaflets, smooth gray bark that becomes ridged with age, and the distinctive pear-shaped nuts that have a thin husk. The tree's buds are small, ovoid, and covered in overlapping scales.

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Commercial Value:
Pignut Hickory wood is highly valued for its strength, hardness, and shock resistance, making it ideal for tool handles, athletic equipment, and furniture. It is also a preferred wood for smoking meats due to its excellent burning qualities and pleasant flavor imparted to food.

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Wildlife Value:
The nuts of the Pignut Hickory, despite their bitterness to humans, are a vital food source for various wildlife species, including squirrels, chipmunks, black bears, and deer. The tree also provides habitat and nesting sites for birds and small mammals.

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Symbiotic Relationships:
Pignut Hickory forms mycorrhizal associations with various fungi, which aid in nutrient uptake and enhance the tree's growth and health. These symbiotic relationships are crucial for the tree's ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soils.

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Interesting Tidbits:

• The name "Pignut" derives from the observation that pigs were particularly fond of the nuts, despite their bitter taste. Native Americans used the nuts in traditional food preparations and valued the wood for its utility.

• The Pignut Hickory is a relative of the pecan tree, although its nuts are much less palatable to humans.